Apply for the Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026: Reimagining Community-Building for Inclusive Democracies

Keseb is now accepting pitches for the Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026 (iLab), an eight-month hybrid programme designed to support early-stage innovations that strengthen belonging, inclusivity, and resilience in diverse democracies. The inaugural iLab focuses on the theme: “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies.”

This initiative aims to identify and support 10 promising projects that are testing new approaches to community-building, democratic participation, cross-group belonging, and inclusive governance.

Applications close 2 February 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. A separate nomination deadline for project leads is set for 16 January 2026.

What the Keseb Democracy Innovation Lab 2026 Offers

Selected project teams will participate in an eight-month hybrid programme that includes virtual sessions and in-person gatherings. Participants receive:

• USD 10,000 in seed funding at the end of the programme

• Capacity-building in future visioning, innovation development, and long-term planning

• Sessions with leading futures-thinking and foresight experts

• Individualized support from the Keseb team and subject-matter experts

• Peer learning within a transnational community of innovators

• Opportunities to contribute to future global innovation principles for democracy

• Inclusion in the Keseb Community for continued collaboration and engagement

Who Should Apply

Keseb invites applications from innovators working on non-partisan, not-for-profit, early-stage projects focused on strengthening community-building in diverse democracies. Eligible projects may fall into one of the following categories:

Idea Stage

The project has been conceptualized but not yet implemented.

Pilot or Implementation Stage

The project is being piloted or implemented and is less than two years old.

Post-Pilot Redesign Stage

The project has existed for more than two years and is now being relaunched or taking a new strategic direction to test an innovation.

Eligible applicants may be:

• Democracy practitioners

• Grassroots activists

• Journalists or storytellers

• Community organizers

• Researchers or academics

• Technologists

• Artists

• Or innovators from other fields

The Project Lead must:

• Be significantly involved in the project

• Be able to participate in virtual and in-person sessions

• Be proficient in English for programme participation

What Keseb Is Looking For

Successful applications will demonstrate:

1. Commitment to Inclusive and Resilient Democracies

Projects must clearly articulate how they aim to foster cross-group belonging, inclusivity, and democratic resilience.

2. Strong Project Leadership

The Project Lead should have relevant lived or professional experience that supports effective implementation and growth.

3. Futures-Oriented Innovation

Projects should offer imaginative solutions that envision the future of community-building over the next 20–30 years.

4. Potential for Impact

Projects should show clear promise either as local or national solutions with transnational applicability, or as transnational models with local relevance.

5. Willingness to Collaborate Across Borders

Applicants must demonstrate openness to shared learning, collective problem-solving, and engagement within a global pro-democracy community.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, projects must:

• Align with the theme “Reimagining community-building for inclusive and resilient democracies”

• Be early-stage, non-partisan, and not-for-profit

• Have a committed Project Lead actively working on the project

• Ensure the Project Lead can participate in iLab activities

• Ensure English proficiency adequate for participation

Keseb also provides a Quick Eligibility Quiz on their website.

How to Apply

• Submit your pitch by: 2 February 2026, 11:59 PM ET

• Nominate a Project Lead by: 16 January 2026, 11:59 PM ET

• Keseb may close submissions early if volume is high, but will provide a 48-hour notice window.

Learn more and submit your pitch: https://keseb.org/ilab/

If you or someone you know is developing fresh approaches to building community in diverse democratic contexts, this is a strong opportunity to gain support, resources, and an international network.

To know about such opportunities, click here.

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